Sprag



Aug. 12, 1941. C, F RAUEN 2,251,956

SPRAG Filed Sep'h. 13, 1933 4 Shee'S-Shee't 1 /05 86- INVENTOR.

Carl F Have.

i n /0/ 88 77 igl' ATTORNEY.

C. F. RAUEN Aug. 12, 1941.

Fi led Sept. 13,l 1955 4 Shee'tS-Sheet 2 INVENTO. Carl 72-' War/e77. BY '0/41 W-Qy ATTO NEY.

Aug. 12, 1941. C, F RAUEN 2,251,956

SPRAG w Filed Sept'. 13, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 2' EE. n32 2' 1 N VEN TOR. Carl 77" 774 zle 27,

ATT RNEY.

Aug. 12, 1941. w z. F. RAUEN 2,251.956

sPRAG I Filed Sept. 13, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Carl F' Have.

ATTORNEY.

Patentecl Aug. 12, 1941 www UNTED STTS PTET OFECE SPRAG Carl F. Rauen, Grosse Pointe, Mieli.

Application September 13, 1933, Serial No. 689,204 I (ci. ie2 i 28 Claims.

This invention relates to unidirectional braking devices and has particular relation to devices generally called anti-reverse mechanisms or sprags, especially applicable for preventing motor Vehicles from moving rearwardly when movement in such direction is undesirable.

This application is a continuation in part of my application for Brake, Serial No. 498,263, filed November 26, 1930.

An object of the invention is to provide means for overcoming the frictional force set up betWeen the several parts of a sprag mechanism when this latter is employed in holding the vehicle in a stationary position upon any inclined surface such as a hill, so that any desired change in the gear ratio may be effected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a motor vehicle with a particular type of braking mechanism which will move the vehicle slightly forward when applied, and to such an extent that the sprag or anti-reverse mechanism thereon can be released without the exertion of undue force.

Another object of the invention is to provide the propeller shaft of a motor vehicle with a mechanism which will permit the operation of such Shaft only in one direction, but which can be easily released when such is desirable and notvvithstanding the large amount of force which may be exerted thereagainst when the vehicle tends to move rearwardly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a motor vehicle propeller shaft with an overrunning or one way clutch mechanism having an element operative against the motor vehicle frame structure through a releasable shifting clutch, and which has means incorporated therein for permitting the operation of the releasing mechanism manually and With a less amount of applied force than would ordinarily be required in overcoming the frictional resistance to movement of such parts.

Another object of the invention i-s to provide, in the transmission mechanism of a motor vehicle or elsewhere, a sprag device which cannot be engaged when the vehicle is already moving rearwardly, except at a relatively low speed, but which will automatically be engaged when the gear shift lever is in other than reverse position but after the vehicle otherwise has been stopped.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for rendering the sprag device inoperative when the shift lever of the transmission is returned to neutral position and permitted to reshaft in a direction suitable for driving the vehicle forwardly, but which will secure the sha'ft rigidly to the vehicle frame when the propeller shaft tends to rotate in the` opposite direction. This condition might occur should the vehicle tend to roll rearwardly under the influence of some force other than the motive power provided by the engine. In order to permit the driving of the vehicle rearwardly under the influence of the engine, the clutch is equipped with a shift mechanism under the manual'control of the vehicle operator and which will render the clutch inoperative -to prevent the opposite rotation of the shaft under such conditions.

In devices employed heretofore, this manually actuated control for rendering the overrunning or one way clutch inoperative, has worked very well when the vehicle has been standing still upon level ground, where there was no tendency for it to roll rearwardly, but with the vehicle facing upwardly in an inclined position, the overrunning clutch mechanism would tend to become locked in position to prevent the rearward motion of the vehicle, due to the frictional force generated between the parts and in many instances it has been practically impossible 'to operate the shift mechanism to permit the vehicle to move rearwardly.

This invention lnodifies the operation of the overrunning clutch mechanism under such circumstances and renders it easily releasable under the influence of the shift mechanism, notwithstanding the fact that the mechanism may be holding the vehicle against rearward motion.

This result is accomplished in one instance by providing a shifting clutch, between the stationary element of the overrunning clutch and the vehicle frame, which has an angle of rest or repose such that the elements of the shifting clutch can be easily disconnected even when the clutch is being employed in preventing the rearward rotation of the vehicle.

This result also may be accomplished by einploying a particular type of vehicle braking mechanism which has the property of moving a y which:

1 Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an automobile transmission mechanism having associated therewith a sprag device embracing the principles of this invention;

i Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of theV clutch teeth employed in the sprag structure disclosed by Fig. 1 and as the latter might appear substantially on line' 2-2 thereof;

Fig. 3 is a Vertical sectional view through the overrunning clutch mechanism of the sprag device, taken substantially in the plane of line 3-3 of Fig. 1;` i

1 Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 11 are fragmentary sectional views, similar to Fig. 1, of slightly modified forms of theA invention disclosed by the preceding figures;

1 Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view' taken substantially on line 1-1 of Fig. and illustrating theshape of the various engaging-teeth employed in the shifting clutch mechanism embraced in that structure; i

` Fig. 8 is a view of a motor vehicle chassis employing a power transmission mechanisrnV embracing the principles of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a view of a vehicle brake mechanism which may be employed in the motor vehicle disclosed by Fig. 8 in the practice of the principles of the invention; V V Fig. 1DV is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a certain type of clutch engaging teeth which may be employed in a sprag mechanism such as that disclosed herein;

` Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of the brake mechanism shown byiFig. 9v and particularly illustrating the brake shoe actuating mechanism embraced therein; i

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of a slightly modified form of the invention disclosed in the preceding figures; i'

` Fig. 14 is a section on the line MTM of Fig.

13 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view il1us-.

trating another modified form of the 'invention Figure 16 is a top plan view of the modification illustrated in Fig. 15 and showing mechanism for rendering the sprag device temporarily inoperative; Fig. 17 is' a cross sectional View takenon the line |'i-I'i of Fig. 15; i V Fig. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating another modification of the invention; Fig. 19 is a cross sectonal view on the lines |9--|'9 of Fig. 18 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 20 is a diagrammati-c illustration of tooth means which embodythe angle of` rest or repose.

Refer-ring particularly to'Fig. 8, there is disclosed a'motor vehicle' Chassis Hi emhracing a frame I-l, the'front' andrear ends of which are supported upon, spring-s` I 8, ax-les' 19, androad wheels 2,1. The forward endof the frame Hf hasV supported thereon, a motor vehicle engine 22 having a housing enclosedclutc'h-gmechanism 23 at the rear endthereo'f, and which-in turn is operatively" associated with al geartransrn'ission mechanis'm- 24, supported rearwardly thereon.

Extending rearwardly from and supported by the transmission mechanism 25, is a sprag mechanism from which in turn projects a propeller shaft 27, the rearrend of which is operatively associated with the vehicle rear axle IQ employed in driving the road Wheels 2|.

As is best shown by Fig. 1, the transmission mechanism 24 comprises a casing 28 having bearings 29 and 3! provided at the front and rear ends thereof, and in which `are journaled respectively, the forward end of the driven shaft 25, which may be considered as part of the proi peller shaft 21, Fig. 8, above referred to, and

the rear end of a shaft tz operatively associated with the driven element employed in the clutch mechanism 23. A cap 33 provided with a bearing porton 315 is employed on the shaft 32 forwardly of the bearing El, to prevent escape of lubricant from the interior of the casing 28 and'to hold more rigidly the shaft 32 in operative position. The forward end of the shaft 26 `is i journaleol within the adjacent hollow end of Lili;

the shaft 32 on roller bearings 'indicated at- 35. Journaled on a shaft 35, the o pposite ends i of which are secured in openings formed'in the casing 28 immediately below the bearings 2'9 and 33, is a gear cluster 37 comprising az plurality of gears 33, 39, (ii and if and which are' adapted to be employed in various combinations in driving the propeller shaft 21 from the shaft 32. For example, they cluster 3h is continuously driven through the gear 38 by a gear 4'3 formed on the shaft 32 behind the bearing 31|, and the gear 3h continuonsly drives a gear 44 wl=1i(',hF isv mounted upon a bushing 46, secured loosely to Secured upon a splined portion 52 of the shaft- 26, located forwardly of the gear 44', is a synchronizing shifter member 53, having a sliding element 54 thereon with internal teeth, thev op.-

posite ends of which are adapted to cooperate.V

' with teeth 55 and 57 formed on the adjacent ends of the gears M and 43., respectively. When the ringV 5d is in contact with the teeth. 5.1,. the shaft 32 drives the shaft 21? directly at engineV speed, whereas when the ring is in contact wfithz teeth 56, the shaft 2? is drven in secondspeed through the gears '13, 38, 39 and. fil.`

In orderl i to he able to move the ring 5.4 from one, of theaforesaid positio-ns to the other, theouter surface thereof is provided with an annular. groove 53 in which a fork 58! is adapted to run. This' fork is secured rigidly on the lower surface. of a bar 5d' which is slidabiy mounted in a cover portion 59 of the casing 28 in parallel relation to a bar ti shown as slidably mounted in open-l ings formed therein. The aforesaid bars. are' selectivelyoperatedV by a gear shift lever 82 which is pivotally mounted intermediate i-'ts ends in the upper extremity of a gear shift lever supporting! housing 63.

Between the gear 44 and the bearing' 29', the shaft Zli'V is splined, as is indicated at 64, for slidably supporting a gear 66 adapted tov be moved thereon and into mesh with the gear M' of the cluster 31, and a reverse idling gear 612 mounted in the casing 28- at oneside of the shaft 21. The gear 67| is adapted normally to remain in mesh With the gear 42 of the cluster ;'I'lV and, when in engagemen-t with the gear 66, drivesthe shaft 27 in such manner as to move the vehicle rearwardly. When the gear 66 is in engagement with 'the gear 4| and in which event the shifter mechanism 53 is in neutral position, the shaft 21 is driven in such a manner as to drive the vehicle forwardly at low speed. The position of the 'gear 66 is determined by a fork 68 secured on therlower part of the rod 6|, which is in turn controlled by the gear shift lever 62.

The portion of the shaft 26 beyond the bearing 29 is splined, as is indicated at 69, and has disposed thereon an internally splined sleeve 'H of a universal joint 12. The sleeve is held in position by a nut 13 threaded upon the rear end of the shaft 26 and which holds the sleeve against an annular speedometer gear 14 located between the sleeve and the inner race of the bearing 29. Mounted on roller bearings lt on the outer surface of the forward end of the sleeve is an internal element 'll of an overrunning or oneway clutch, brake, device, mechanism or connection 18, the outer element 19 of which is rigidly secured by bolts 8|, to the sprag element casing 82. The forward end of this casing is rigidly secured by bolts 80' or other suitable means, to the rear end of the transmission casing 28 which is in turn rigidly secured to the vehicle frame as has been hereinbefore described.

Formed around the inner periphery of the outer element 19 of the overrunning clutch are a plurality of notches 83, the outer surfaces of which are all inclined in the same direction with respect to the outer surface of the inner clutch element 11. In each of these notches there is located a roller element 84 which is small enough to turn freely between the outer surface of the inner element and the inclined surfaces of the notches 83 at the deeper end thereof, but will be confined between said surfaces at the shallower end of the notches to lock the inner element against rotation in a cloclrwise direction, looking at Fig. 3. The direction of inclination of these notches is such that the inner element of the clutch may rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, looking at Figl 3, when the vehicle is i* driven forwardly, but will be clamped to the outer element 19, which is rigidly afiixed to the vehicle frame, by the rollers 84 when the direction of motion of the vehicle is reversed, provided the gears are set for a forward speed or are in neutral except after being shifted to the foregoing position from reverse, as hereinafter explained.

In order to provide means for releasing the inner element of the sprag device to permit the vehicle to move rearwardly when desired, the side of the element 'H remote from the transmission casing is provided with a plurality of laterally projecting teeth 86 which are adapted to mesh with an equal number of similar teeth 81 projecting from the adjacent side of a circular shifter member or ring 88. The inner periphery of this member is provided with a plurality of radially inwardly projecting teeth 89, which in turn mesh with a plurality of teeth 9| formed on the outer surface of the sleeve element '|I directly inside the shifter member. The teeth 9| are wide enough to permit the ring or disc B8 to be moved until the teeth 61 are brought into engagement with the teeth 86 or released therefrom by movement away from the inner element The disc 88 is movable upon the teeth 9| by the provision, in the outer surface thereof, of an annular groove 93 adapted to be engaged by a fork 94, the upper end of which is secured rigidly by means of a pin 91, upon a horizontally disposed shaft 66. The opposite en-ds of the shaft 96 are slidably disposed in openings located in the casing 82 and cover 82' in such position that the forward end of said shaft is engageable by the adjacent rear end of the rod 6|. When the rod 6| is moved rearwardly to cause the engagement of the gear 66 with the reverse idler 61, the rod 96 is also engaged, after a predetermined movement of the rod 6|, and is moved to such an extent as to disengage the teeth 66 and 37. A spring 98 mounted on the rod 96 between the fork 94 and the cover 82', tends to maintain the rod in its forward position wherein the teeth 66 and 61 are engaged, but is not strong enough to push the Shift bar 6| from reverse to neutral position.

Teeth 86 on the movable element of the sprag device have tapered leading edges Il formed at a slight angle to the center of rotation of the shaft 26 and adapted to cooperate with oppositely disposed trailing edges |02 of the teeth El formed on the shifter member 88. The

.- vangles of these teeth are such as to form complementary engaging surfaces between the members ll and 53 substantially equal to the angle of rest or repose for the materials from which these parts are constructed. The angle of repose may be defined as follows: if two bodies are in contact with each other and a force is applied to one of said bodies at an angle to a normal to the contacting faces of said bodies, the body to which the force is applied will not move if the tangent of said angle is equal to or less than the coeiiicient of friction between said surfaces. Therefore theangle formed by the line of action of the force, with the normal to the surfaces is the angle of repose, if the tangent of that angle is equal to the coe'jcient of friction of the materials in contact. In the case of a pawl and ratchet mechanism to be designed so that a small force applied to the pawl would hold the pawl in engagement with the wheel, or a small force would separate the pawl from the wheel when under load, it is necessary to locate the pivot point so that the load would tend to force the pawl out of engagement with the wheel, and as follows: Draw a line thru the center of pressure and normal to the load holding faces in the direction of the pawl pivot point; then draw a line thru said center of pressure and on an angle to said normal and lying between said normal and the center of rotation of said ratchet wheel, the tangent of this angle to be equal of the coefficient of friction of the materials forming the said load holding faces; then locate the pawl pivot point on this line. The angle thus forined is known as the angle of repose.

If the design is to be such that the load will scparate the pawl from the wheel and that only a relatively small force would be necessary to hold the pawl in engagement with the wheel, then the angle above referred to must be slightly greater than the angle of repose; if it is desired to have the pawl stay in engagement when under load and be able to be disengaged by a relatively small force then the angle above refered to must be equal to or slightly less than the angle of repose.

Of course it is understood that in a practical design, some allowance must be made for the friction of the pawl pivot point in locating said pivot point in respect to said normal. In other words if it is desired to have the paw1 separate from .the =teeth..wh'en un'derfloadfand be such" that i a small. force i will i preventf separati'on' the i. angle of the: line passingvthru thepawl; pivot center to-.the=normalimust be greatersthanit wouldbefwere' the pawlpivot center frictionless.

In' as much' as there is. considerablezfriction ibetween the: teeth "89 and .'9I', which .friction :must be overcome when/ shifting the member.

88v nto the Jrear., thev angle offthe facesil l 'and `lll2'wouldhaveito be much greater than 'would be necessary were' the contactfbetween the-teeth 89 and.9| 'frictionless or substantiallysofin or- :de'r that the axial-component of the torque force to be such that a slight force could separate the teeth 86s `and 81 'or hold them inlengagement as the case may be. i

Referringto Fig. 20,1there is i shown a frag- `mentary drawing of two relatively movable elements or teeth- F and GV having their engaging faces X and 'Y'on an angleV C and in contact Vwillbe -on the `verge of separating under influence of-the-load'or the forces A'and B. If, however, the faces-Xand Y are formed on an angle E slightly greater than the angle C, then the elements will separate under 'influence of -the loads or vforcest.A-`an:l -B but it would require only a small force 'exerted along the line 0-0 to hold them in'iengagement as the angle E is only slightlyV greater than the angle of repose C. Shouldthe facesX'and Y be formed on the angle D; which angle is slightly less than the angle of reposefC','then'thefelements-F vand G Will not separate underthe Vload 'A and B,'- but only a Small' force will' bev required to. separate the elements F1 and G. If- `the angle of the faces -Xv and Ywas made appreciably greater than'angle E,zthen a-large force wouldbe required to prevent the elements from-separating under influence ofithe=load-A and B, and conversely if the angle `of the faces X and Y should be placed on the lineOL-Olthen a large force -would be required .to 'separatethe elements F land' G.

` If we assum'e'thatlthe element 5G is a loadholding .member suchl as the tooth 36 (Fig. 2) or-the face-234 of the ratchet 214 (F'ig. 19), and cannot move in the direction -of the arrow B', and that the element F Vcan move in the -direction of thearrow A' such as the tooth 81 (Fig. 2) or the pawl 238 1(F'ig'.V 19), but in doing so must overcome friction of a guiding device such as the friction between the splines 89,/9! (Fig. 1) orV the friction of the pawl `pivot 2M (Fig. 19), then the anglelof `repose-C must be larger'than it otherwise would be if there' were no friction to resist movement of the element F'in the' directionof the arrowfA'; With Afriction present and the elements F and G being designed so asto separate under load, then the angle E would'have to be increased so that the component of'the forces A fand `B .in the direction of the arrow' A' would'be a little more than the force necessary to overcome the friction ofl the guiding device and consequentlysonly a small amount of force would be required to hold the elements in engagement. i With'the above-mentioned friction present in afdevice where itV is' desired 'that the elements would not separate under. the influenceiofthe Vload .-.but:that:a:small; force applied in the di'- then ;the angle'D mustbe ncreasedto :afpoint :w where 'the' component 'of the ;forces .A and :Bu-in f: the direction offthe 'arrow A' would be not 'quite enough to ;overcome theLfrictioniof the'guiding device; so that asmall force applied to'therelement;v F7 infl the fdirectionf of' the arrow "Ah Lwould-V cause iseparati'on'of: the elements F and G. The".A angles of the teethmaybe slightlyabove orrzbe-ilow the angle of rest Vorfrepose of the structure; If 'the Vanglez'of'the teeth` is slightly 'abovethe angle of. repose or rest,` only a slight" force would be required 'tozholdithe teeth 86 and 81 in engagementiwhichi force could easly be overcome for the purposeof disengaging the teeth. Such; force could be provided by the spring 98 so that'- if it wasdesired to move the teeth .iand .81:2 out of engagemenlz theforce'of the spring ;981 only 'needtbetovercome Ifthe angle of theteeth'is slightly below the vangle of rest or repose, there would be-sufficient purchase between the i teeth'to i hold themselves in engagement, andl only a relatively light force would be required to movethe same out of engagement. However, whenthe member 68 tends to. rotatein the direction of'ithe arrow,zsee Fig. 2, there Will 'be suificient purchase' between the-teeth '862and '81- in eitherevent to cause thememberw'l'l to bedriven therewith, inv whichevent thelmember ll' willbe locked'to' the stationary member 19' by the Vrcllers -84'idisp-osed'therebetween, for the purpose of flocking the shaft .'26 Vagainstreverse rotation resulting fromia tendency of the vehicleL to move rearwardlyl' Should-itbe desired, however,l to movethe shifter Vmember` 88 so` to disengage the teeth. 85 'and 8`l,\the purchase between the teeth'iis not so great as to prevent their sep-v aration'evenunder .the loadnwhich might be imposed thereon oby the force exerted `upon-the teeth in holding the vehicle from moving rear-- wardly'. i'I'he 'oppositely disposed sur-faces of theV teeth fiand 81 may be constructedin' any suitable manner, as for example, in parallel relation to the VVaxis of :the :shaft 164,1 as 'is Vindicatedfat E63 and 104' respectively.

The oute'r 'extremities orends of' the-teethll and z'l are also formed vat 1a vsli'ght angle with respect 'to Va plane .normal 'to the axis of lthe shaft 64; the-'angle of these teeth; being suchV as to: practically render it impossible toengagel'* the=teethfrom a dis'engaged position when 'the` members f'l `'andJB-are moving lin the` dir'ectio'nH of the arrowson Fig. 2. Forexample, werefit possible to engage the teeth when the members were moving in this direction,-or in lother words when: the-'vehicle was'moving rea-rwardly, as occurs withthe Vtransmissionin reverse, themember 'i'l''would 'immediately lock the two partsj rigidly to' the frame through the rollers 84. This' would cause-an undesirable sli'ding of the'road Wheels ofth'e vehiclel and might evenI causef j breakage-of some Hoffthe te'ethof the members if theL vehicle -were -moving rearwardly 'ati any] speed. In any event, the vehicle Wouldebe brought to a :stop more quickly than it should be,and`." this might result' in consid-erable discomfort and perhaps injuryto theoccupants'or'loadbeing carried by the vehicle.

Under normal'conditions, when'the' engine 'is i being employed to' drive the :vehicle Vforwardly, the rodtl of the-gear shift m'echanism'does not o engage the rod-S 'of the sprag device, andconsequerntlyV the teeth 86 and 81 remain in engagement and are -operable' for preventing ;rearwa'rd movement of the-vehicle f should 'the flatter be stoppedupon any-'inc'linedfsurface which-*mightf tend to :cause movement in this direction. Should the vehicle be stopped under such circumstances, the rearward rotation of the vehicle Wheels will be immediately effective in rotating the member 83 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2, which is directly opposite the direction of its rotation when the vehicle is moving forwardly, and with the teeth 85 and 18'1 engaged, the member T1 will be rotated in such manner as to lock the rollers 84 against the stationary member '19.

Under such -circumstan'ces, the sprag mechanism will serve to look the vehicle Wheels to the frame, and consequently the vehicle will remain stationary even without applying the brakes. I-Iowever, if it is desired under such circuznstances to release the sprag device to permit the Vehicle either to move rearwardly under infiuence of gravity or to drive it rearwardly under the influence of the engine, the shift lever 62 is moved into reverse position and as a result of which motion, the teeth 85 and 8'1 are disengaged by the action of the rod 81 in moving the rod 98 against the spring 98. By reason of the formation of the engaging surfaces of the teeth 86 and 8'1 at an angle slightly above or below the angle of repose or rest 'for the materials of the two parts, only a small amount of force will in either event be required to slide the teeth relative to one another. If the clutch is held out of engagement, the vehicle will be permitted to coast rearwardly, or it can be driven in such direction by the engine merely by permitting the main clutch elements to become engaged.

After having permitted the vehicle to move in this direction, as far as is desired, the brakes may be employed to bring the vehicle to rest, or the gear shift lever 62 may be moved to any forward driving position, and the engine may be employed for stopping the rearward motion of the vehicle and thereafter driving it 'forwardly. The operation of the gear shift lever 62 which results in the release of the rod 95 does not cause immediate engagement of the teeth 86 and 8'1 by reason of the inclined ends of the teeth hereinbefore described, which hold the teeth 86 and 81 out of engagement until the member 88 is substantially at rest relative to the member '11. Thereafter the teeth Will be moved into engagement by the spring 98, as the vehicle starts forwardly under the influence of the engine.

The structure disclosed by Fig. 10 illustrates another form of clutch teeth which will normally prevent the vehicle from being rapidly stopped When moving rearwardly, and the shifter member 88 is released. In this structure, teeth 105 and I'l', employed upon the elements '11 and 88, respectively, are substantially rectangular in formation and are of so near the same width as the spaces between the teeth upon an opposite member that the spring 98 will be incapable of meshing the teeth 105 and 1M' until the teeth are substantially at rest relative to one another. While the teeth disclosed in this figure could b-e disengaged when under load by applying a considerable force upon the shift lever 62, when it is moved into reverse position, the fact that the sides of the teeth are substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft M will not permit them to be released as easily as though they were constructed at an angle to such axis as is done in the structure disclosed by Fig. 2.

In the structure disclosed by Figs. 4 and 5, there is illustrated a slightly different form of sprag ldevice and in which figures, the reference numerals heretofore employed are applied to parts substantially similar to those to which the reference numerals are applied in the structure disclosed by Figs. 1 and 3.

In these structures, the inner element '1'1 of the overrunning clutch or one-way connection or brake is provided with a rearwardly projecting part 101 from the outer edge of which, teeth 108 .project outwardly in a radial direction. These teeth are disposed directly opposite teeth 159 formed on the adjacent edge of the sleeve '11. Disposed outwardly of the pairs of teeth 108 and 189 is a slidable ring 111 on the inner surface of which are formed teeth 112 which are adapted to mate with the teeth 108 and 109 except that they are long enough to overlap both sets of teeth disposed inwardly thereof. A groove 113, formed in the outer surface of this ring, is adapted to receive a fork 114 which is secured rigidly upon a short shaft 116 mounte'd slidably in the sprag casing 82 and the cover 82' in substantially the Way the shaft 96 is mounted. The shaft 1 16 is provided with a spring 1'1 between the yoke 114 and the end cover 82', and in addition thereto, a spiral spring 118 is disposed between the ring 111 and the adjacent edge of the enlarged portion of the sleeve '11.

The stationary element 119 of the overrunning clutch, brake or connection employed in the structure Aillustrated by Fig. 4, is secured against the inner surface of the casing 82 by bolts similar to those indicated at 8| in Fig. 3. The rollers 84 employed in this structure are held in position between the moving and stationary elements '11 and 119, respectively, of the clutch, brake or connection by annular rings 122 and 123 secured respectively to the elements '11 and 1119.

In the structure disclosed by Fig. 5, the stationary element 126 is provided with va plurality of teeth or splines 121 upon the outer surface thereof which cooperate With teeth or splines 128 formed upon the inner surface of the casing 82. These teeth or splines may be made with a slip fit so that the stationary element can be inserted or removed without resorting to the expedient of removing and replacing bolts such as those indicated at 81 in the preceding figures.

In the structure as illustrated by Figs. 4 and 5, the sprag device operates responsive to the movement of the gear shift lever 62 into reverse position, which causes the rod 61 to engage the rod I 1B, as a result of which movement the sleeve or collar 111 is moved rearwardly in opposition to the spring 118 until the ring 111 will rotate freely with the teeth 109 and without engaging the teeth 1133. When the ring 1|| is in this position, the vehicle can be made either to coast or be driven rearwardly as desired.

The rearward and forward extremities of the teeth m8 and 112, respectively, are inclined with respect to a plane normal to the axis of the shaft 62, as is indicated at 131, and with which construction the teeth 1 12, when once released from the teeth 108, cannot be made to engage the latter again until the two sets of teeth are moving at substantially the same rate. These inclined portions 131 function substantially as the inclined ends of the teeth 86 and 8'1, the operation of which has heretofore been described, so that the teeth 1118 and 109 cannot be interconnected While the vehicle is moving rearwardly. It will be considerably more difficult to disconnect the teeth 108 and. 109 when a load is applied thereto, than isj'the 'case' with-'lthelteeth86VV and-851' employed 'in the structure' disclosed by'Fig. 1. i

i In the 'structure -dis'c1osed`:byPFig. 6 lthe inner element 133 of -the overruhning clutch employed in the sprag device isjsecuredidirectly upon the 1 splined portion? 69 of the fshaftf 26; and -the outer -1 'elementi 134 isfreely rotatable in one direction f' with respect thereto. Rollers 84 secured -bea' tween theaforesaid-inner and outer elements are Vconfined-vvithin the louter' element |34` between discs -or annular Vrings 13'!` and: l3:8--secured lto the outer element adjacent the oppositel edges Vthereof. Formed on the outer -surfaceof the ga' curvd'fork `l'iii'which is secured upon an intermediateiportion -ofashort-shaft' 15| located l`in'the casingfdirectlyf'opposite thegshiftprod ;6 I. =A- spring 152 is employed upon the shaft 15| tomaintain the vring 'M2 normally in position to Vengage 'the' teeth-l4l -with '{the 'teeth 143.

i In- |such position, the sprag devicelwill operate -as-has-been heretoforedsc'rbed, to prevent the l-rearwa-rd'mtion'fof-a vehicle'with -which it is employed. JWhen-'the shift lever is moved into jreverse position; Vhowever, the rod- 6| will Vengage VVfthef'rod- 15|,` and the ring M2 will be movederear- -wardly into a-position directly opposite the teeth #433 and -out ofcontactwith the teeth M3. i VIn such event the ring M2 will rotate with the'outer ielement; 313; -of the* overrunning clutch'without ildcking 'the" 'rearwheels of -thevvehicleV -to the 'frame i 7 -Inv the structure disclosed'loyil'ig.` 6, the forward V;fiends of the teethi-Hll and the -rearwardV ends of the-teeth `VIM'Zmay'beconstru'cted with inclined surfaces-such'as'are indicated 'at 3| in Fig; 7, for thepurpose-hereinbefore'described.

i -"In"Fig. 11Ethere-is=disclosed astructure'sorne- VV ;whatv more-economcal to construct in'which the l'outer' element lli'of the overrunning clutch is 'provided-witha :relatively narrow flange having -projecting 'therefromteeth i 54V which are adapted ltofbe'engaged vby "relatively long and inwardly 'disposedL-teeth 156 located upon the innersurface'ofanannular ring [51' disposed therearound.

"he forward edgesiof the teeth' |55 are adapted `lunder all circumstances -to "engage teeth I 58 f *formed radially upon an elongated projection 59 extending from 'the ;ring 41' and-which projection is similar to ltheeprojection IM `disclosedlin the Vstructureillust'rated by'Fig; 6. 'In/Fig.`11, how- "'ever,-the'teeth'158'are-long enough to permit '-thejringfi'lztotally' to Vbe disengaged from vthe Ateeth'jfii'l!V whemmoved` forwardly in response to the joperationof 'a '-lever' IGI' located along one side thereof.

`fL'I'his' lev'eris' pivotallyv secured to thecasing 82 '"'byi a'pin 162 projecting through the casing and the' lever'intermediate thekopposite ends thereof.

''I'he'iower end of the lever is secured tothe side .of'jtheringilby'a pinl'whereas a curved upper'portion'ofthelever'is located in such po- .sition as tobeV engaged' Vby the head Vof a pin 164 which isslidablydisposed'in 'an-opening in the V'ca/sing' 82 and -which -is locatedv 'directly lbehind 'the outwardly ext'ending end: of Vthe rod 5|. ;The

. upperV end-of'the .lever .16| .is`.held1.inposition against the head of the rod 164 by a spring. 166, the rear end of which is disposed againstthe casing 82.

When the rod 6| is moved rearwardly lin Vresponse to the movement of the gear shift lever 2-52 yinto reverse position, the lever ll Vis tilted upon the pin 152, and the ring 151 lis moved forwardly in response to the forward movement ofthelower end of. the lever. This movement of the ring 151 is great enough to permit the teeth IM to be entirely disengaged'from the teeth lIJt-of the ring 851 and in which event the outer element .[34 of the overrunning clutch employed 'is' free to rotate in either direction. Co'nsequently, the' vehicle may be allowed .to move under its own `inertia rearwardly or may be driveninlthe same-direction in response to theloperation of the engine.

i For -releasing the sprag device illustrated lin Figs. 4; 5,'6; 8, 10 and 11 so that the gear shift lever may-be shifted easily into reverse position, lthere .may vbe employed a braking mechanism suchas that illustrated by Fig. 9 and in which 'thebrake shoes are so constructed as to move the-vehicle slightly forwardlyl when thebr'ake is applied. This brake is one suchas might be employed on one of` the road Wheels of lthe vehicleflillustrated by Fig. 8. It consists princi- -pally of a brake drum ISS which is secured rigidly to the :wheel-and. withinfwhich' there is located a pair of full floatingbrake shoes l69 and I 1|. Each of these shoes is provided with a brake -band 112 formed of any suitable wearing material and isvheld in such position as* to be capable of limited circumferential movement upon pins i "H. vAt the top the brake shoes |69 and I'll are provided with large openings IH for receiving the p'ins 113 and adjacent the opposite ends Ithereof other large openings are provided'for 'receiving the pins 115. In addition thereto, spiral ysprings HS are employed on opposite sides of :the shoes at pins E15 to permit a limited amount vof lateral movement of such ends.

`and. 1-15 all are secured rigidly to a stationary Pins |13 part of the vehicle surrounding the axle thereof and outwardly from which projects a skirt indicated at I'H which surrounds the brake drum HU53 to prevent the entrance of 'dirt thereto and to prevent oil from escaping therefrom. The lower ends of the shoes 169 and I'll are held adjustably together by a mechanism indicated at I'iB which is provided with a knurled adjusting wheel E19 by which the relative position of 'the endsV of the shoes may be Varied to tighten the .brake hands within the make drum |68.

` secured. rigidly a lever E82.

Vdownwardly and terminates in an end portion erally at m4.

Between the upper ends of the shoes |69 and ll! there pro-jects through the statonary part` of `the braking mechanism an Operating shaft indicated at 18| on the inner end of which there is This lever projects located just below the adjacent upper ends'of the brake shoes lti and HI', and here is secured pivotally by a pin indicated at |8`3, to the lower end of a fioating cam mechanism indicated gen- T'he cam mechanism |84 comprises a pair of plates m6 and I'l which are held vin spaced relation by a portion of the pin |83 at the lower end thereof, and by blocks |89 and ll disposed in spaced relation adjacent the upper extremities thereof in such position as to vbe substantially equal distances on opposite sides -of the axis of the shaft |8l.

The blocks' are held in position between the plates by pins indicated at 192.

Normally the upper ends of the shoes 169 and 1'1 1' project a short distance in between the plates 186 and 18'1 and there are in position to be engaged by the blocks 189 and 191. The block 189 vis positioned a little nearer the end of the shoe 169 than is the block 191, and the latter con- -versely is nearer the end of the shoe 1'11 than the former. In this position, assuming the lower end of the arm 182 to be rotated in the direction of the arrow on Fig. 9, the block 189 will engage 'the end of the shoe 169 and the block 1914 the end of the shoe 1'l1. The two plates 186 and 18'1 therefore will act as a lever with a load vapplied at 183 by the arm 182, a fulcrum at 189 acting against the end of the shoe 169 and another load at 191 against the end of the shoe Since the forces applied at 183 and 191 are in the same direction and are opposed by the reaction at 139, the latter will be equal to the sum of the forces at 183 and 191 and consequently greater than the force applied at 191 alone. With the greater force applied at 169, the upper end of the shoe 169 will 'be thrust against the inner surface of the brake drum 163 and thereafter 'the resulting circumferential movement of the shoe 169 following the further movement of the block 1'89, will tend to rotate the drum 168 in a counter-clockwise direction.

Resulting from this slight movement of the drum, and consequently the wheel to which the ,drum is attached, the shoe 169 and 11| will be progressively brought into contact with the entire inner surface of the drum from the upper end of the shoe 1'11 to the upper end thereof.

.When the two shoes are thus brought entirely 'in contact with the inner surface of the drum,

the further tendency of the drum 168 to rotate will be eliminated, and the brake drum and shoes thereafter will remain in a uniform relation to one another.

This slight movement of the wheel to which the brake drum 168 is attached, will also tend to rotate the propeller shaft 21 to a slight extent 4 in the same direction the shaft would be rotated were the vehicle driven forwardly under the v infiuence of the engine. Assuming a sprag device,

such as that illustrated herein, to be employed in the vehicle, the aforesaid slight forward rotation of the propeller shaft 2'1 will immediately relieve a portion or substantially all of the load being carried by the rollers 84 thereof, the same as the load on these rollers would be relieved in the event the vehicle were driven forwardly z under the infiuence of the engine. Inasmuch as whatever load is carried by the rollers 3-4 is transmitted through a shifting ring such as is employed in any of the figures disclosed herein, it is apparent that the shifting ring can be easily vmoved in response to the operation of the gear shift lever, whenever the braking mechanism is so applied as to tend to rotate the 'propeller shaft 2'1 forwardly. I-Ience the only thing which 'it is necessary to do in order to relieve the load (Jil supporting them. A braking mechanism such as that illustrated in Fig. 9 is not essential in a vehicle with a sprag device having clutch teeth such as are illustrated in Fig. 2, inasmuch as the engaging surfaces of the teeth in this structure are set at approximately the angle of rest for the materials employed, and consequently, in such case, little diificulty will be encountered in shifting the clutch.

In the modification illustrated in Figs, 13 and 1.4, a hub 266 slidably splined to the portion 69 of the driven shaft, comprises the internal member of an overrunning clutch which is biased to the left, looking at Fig. 13, by a spring 262 disposed around the splined portion 69 of the driven shaft, and between the hub 266 and a speedometer gear 2M. The outer member E66 of the overrunning clutch may be provided with a lateral set of jaw teeth 2513, similar to the teeth 61 disclosed in Fig. 2, and which are adapted to mesh with a set of lateral jaw teeth 2m similar to the jaw teeth 36 illustrated in Fig. 2, and the function and operation of the jaw teeth 236 and 216 are identical with that of the jaw teeth 86 and 61 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

As shown, the device illustrated by Figs. 13 and 14 is operative to hold the vehicle from moving rearwardly. Movement of the shift lever 62 into the reverse position will move rod iii to the right, looking at Fig. 13, for the purpose of shifting the teeth 2% on member 265 out of engagernent With the teeth 226 of the member 212 so that the overrunning clutch member 236 will rotate reversely with the driven shaft 25. Subsequent movement of the shift lever out of reverse position will move the rod 61 to the left, looking at Fig. 13, whereupon the spring 2232 will be operative to move the teeth 268 on the sliding overrunning clutch into engagement with the teeth Ziil, but only when any relative rotation between the teeth has been substantially eliminated.

In the modiiications illustrated in Figs. 15 to 17, inclusive, the outer member 214 of the overrunning clutch is provided with a set of external radia] teeth 216 having faces 218 eccentrically disposed with respect to the aXis of rotation of the member 256, and with beveled or tapered leading edges 2213. A lever 222 pivotally secured at 224 to the transmission casing is provided with a head 226 having a beveled forward edge 228 and adapted to drop into any one of the interstices disposed between the teeth 2i6. The beveled edges 226 on the teeth 216 and 221i on the head 226 are slightly below the angle of rest or repose for the materials out of which these parts are constructed, so that there is sufficient purchase between the tapered edges to hold the head 226 in the position shown, even though the member 256 may tend to rotate in a clockwise direction due to a tendency of the vehicle in which the device is used, to move rearwardly.y

The rear end of the rod 6! is provided with a cam member 23B which is adapted to engage an oppositely disposed cam member 232 provided on the lever 222 for the purpose of lifting the head 226 out of engagement with one of the teeth 16 when the shift lever is moved to reverse gear position. A spring 234' connected at one end to the lever 222 and at the other end to the sprag casing is provided for resiliently holding the head in engagement with one of the teeth 216, so that when the rod 6! is moved forwardly, the head 226 will be moved downwardly to engage one of the teeth 2i6, except as hereinafter described. The eccentric faces 2l8 of the teeth are adapted to prevent the head from engaging the teeth until the clockwise speed of rotation of the member 2| 4, looking at Fig. 17, has practically been eliminated. It will, of course, be understood that when the vehicle is moving rearwardly, the member 214 will be locked to the member 280 of the overrunning clutch which is rotating in a reverse direction with the driven shaft 26.

To permit the vehicle in which the sprag deice has been ncorporated to be moved rearwardly, whenever such is desirable otherwise,

i than through the agency of the engine of the vehicle, the modication illustrated in Figs. tol

17, inclusive, is provided with means for rendering the sprag device inoperative when the Shift lever of the transmission is returned to neutral position and permitted to remain in said position subsequent to moving the shift lever out of reverse position.

' To that end a lever 250 is pivotally secured to a lug 252 provided on the rearward wall of the transmission casing and is biased by spring 25! so as to engage a notch 254 provided in the side of the cam member 232 when the head 225 of the lever 222 has been shifted out of engagement with one of the teeth 26 subsequent to manipulation of the shift lever to reverse position, as hereinbefore described. The low and reverse shift rod 65 is provided with a, downwardly projecting pin 256 which is adapted to engage one arm of the lever 250 when the rod 6| is moved forwardly to place the transmission in low gear ratio for the purpose of moving the lever 250 out of engagement with the notch 254 thereby to permit the head 228 of the lever 222 to be biased into engagement with one of the teeth 26 provided on the outer member of the overrunning clutch 214.

Thus, if the shift lever is restored to neutral position subsequent to moving the same out of reverse, the lever 250 will hold the head 226 of the lever 222 out of engagement with the teeth 216, thereby permitting the vehicle in which the device has been incorporated to be moved reari wardly otherwise than through the agency of the engine of the vehicle.

The yoke rod 260 for eifecting high and intermediate speed gear is provided with a downwardly projecting pin 262 which is adapted to engage one arm of a lever 264, the other arm of 1 which engages a notch 266 provided on the lever 252, whenever the rod 250 is moved rearwardly to place the transmission in an intermediate gear 'ratio for the purpose of moving theV lever 250 out of engagement with notch 254, thereby to permit the head 226 of the lever 222 to engage one of the teeth 26 whereby the sprag device will again be operative to prevent undesirable rearward movement of the vehicle. Movement of the yoke rod 260 to high gear position will Anot affect the lever 250, as the pin 262 will be moved away from the lever 264, which may be pivoted to a boss 268 rearwardly projecting from the sprag casing. The other modifications of the invention illustrated in this application may, if desired, be provided with similar devices for effecting a like result.

Referring now p-articularly to Figs. 18 and 19, the teeth 2|6 of the member 2l4 are provided with tapered leading edges 234 which are adapted` to be engaged by a tapered edge 236 provided on a bolt 238 which is adapted to drop into one of the interstices between the teeth 2|6.

The bolt or head 238 is carried' by a lever 240 pivotally secure'd'at 24| to the wall' of the 'transmission casing and is resiliently held downwardly by a spring-pressed pin 242 carried by the rod 6! at the rear end thereof. The angle of `the leading edge 234 of the teeth 2|6 and of the edge 236 of the bolt 233 is sl'ightly above the `angle of repose or rest for the material of which Athe parts are constructed, so that a tendency out of engagement with the lever 240 whereby the bolt 238V will be moved out of engagement with one of the teeth 2|6 by reverse rotation of the member 2| 4, or by the spring 248, and held in such vposition by a spring 248 secured at one end to the lever 240 and at the other to the c-asing of the sprag. Movement of the shift lever out of reverse position will move the rod 65 so that the cammed surface 244 of the pin 2132 will move the head 238 downwardly for engagement with one of the teeth 2|6. The spring 252' is provided behind the pin 242 to permit the head 238 of the lever 240 to jump the interstices between the teeth 2 |6 until prac- Vtically all of the clockwiserrotation of the member 2M has been eliminated when the head 238 will drop into one of the interstices, and the beveled surface 23B of the head will be in engagement with the tapered leading edge 234 of one of the teeth 216 and be held in such position by the force of the spring 250, for the purpose of holding the vehicle against rearward movement.

The features of my invention herein disclosed Vand cl'aimed are broad'ly'claimed in my copending application Serial No. 230,641, filed September 19, 1938, for uSprag, lsuch application being a Acontinuation-in-part of th'is application and my 'application Serial No. 498,263, filed November 26, 1930, for "Brake.

While several specific embodiments of my invention have been illustrated and described. it

must be appreciated that many modifications may be made in the construction thereof without departingv from the scope of the invention, and for that reason I do not desire to be limited to any particular form or arrangement except in so far as such limitations are included in the following claims:

.1. Reverse brake construction for a motor vehicle driving mechanism comprising a shaft having a one-way looking mechanism associated therewith for preventing rotation .of said shaft inV one direction, means for driving said shaft in either direction, a shift mechanism for rendering said looking mechanism inoperative to prevent rotation of said shaft in said one direction, said looking and shif't mechanisms having cooperative and disconnectable axially shiftable teeth associated therewith, and means for preventing the looking of said teeth in response to the operation of said shift mechanism when said shaft is rotating in said one direction only, said last-mentioned means including a beveled end on at least one of said teeth sloping away form with said load holding surface, an angle greater than 90.

2. Reverse brake construction for a motor vehicle driving mechanism including a transmission and comprising a shaft having a looking mechanism associated. therewith and operable for preventing the rotation of said shaft in one direction, means for arranging said transmission for rotating said shaft in either direction, said transmission having a "neutral position, said looking mechanism being operable when said transmission is arranged for rotating said shaft in the opposite direction, an axial shifting device engageable With and disengageable from said looking mechanism for selectively rendering said looking mechanism operative or inoperative, and means integrally associated With the interengageable parts of said looking mechanism and shifting device for preventing the movement of the latter into a position to render said looking mechanism operative while there exists relative motion between said shaft and shifting device even though said transmission may be arranged in uneutral position.

3. Reverse brake construction for a motor vehicle driving mechanism comprising a shaft having a looking mechanism associated therewith for preventing the rotation of said shaft in one direction, means for rotating said shaft in either direction, an axially shiftable tooth means for rendering said looking mechanism either operative or inoperative, and means associated With said tooth means for preventing the operation of said shifting device When said shaft is rotating at appreciable speed in said one direction only, said last-mentioned means including a beveled end on at least one of said teeth sloping away from the load holding surface thereof so as to form with said load holding surface, an angle greater than 90.

4. Reverse brake construction for a motor vehicle driving mechanism comprising a shaft having a looking mechanism associated therewith for preventing rotation of said shaft in one direction, means for driving said shaft in either direotion, means comprising axially shiftable teeth for controlling the operation of said looking mechanism, and means associated with said teeth for preventing the operation of the last means when said shaft is rotating at appreciable speed in said one direction only, said last-mentioned means including a beveled end on at least one of said teeth sloping away from the load holding surface thereof so as to form with said load holding surface, an angle greater than 90.

5. Reverse brake construction for a motor vehicle driving mechanism comprising a shaft having looking mechanism associated therewith for preventing rotation of said shaft in one direction, means for rotating said shaft in either direction, an axial shifting device for controlling the operation of said looking mechanism, said shifting device and looking mechanism having cooperating teeth adapted normally to mesh with one another, the outer ends of said teeth being beveled in a direction sloping away from the load holding surface thereof so as to form with said load holding surface, an angle greater than 90, so as to prevent their engagement during the rotation of said shaft at appreciable speed in said one direction only.

6. Reverse brake construction for a motor vehicle driving mechanism comprising a shaft having looking mechanism associated therewith for preventing the rotation of said shaft in one direotion, means for rotating said shaft in either direction, an axial shifting device associated with said shaft for rendering said looking mechanism operative or inoperative, said looking mechanism and shifting device having cooperating teeth normally engageable for rendering said looking mechanism operative, resilient means for moving said shifting device for engaging said teeth, and means associated With said teeth for preventing the meshing thereof in response to the operation of said resilient means When said shaft is rotating at appreciable speed in said one direction only, said last-mentioned means including a beveled end on at least one of said teeth sloping awa7 from the load holding surface thereof so as to form with said load holding surface, an angle greater than '7. In combination with a motor vehicle power transmisssion having a shaft operatively associated with the road Wheels of the vehicle, mechanism associated with said shaft and automatically operable for resisting the load of said vehicle tending to rotate said shaft in one direction, shift means operable incidental to setting said transmission for driving said vehicle in one direction for rendering said mechanism inoperative, said shift means and said mechanism having coopera'tive axially shiftable clutch teeth so designed that they are readily disengageable When said mechanism is holding said shaft under conditions of maximum load against rotation for preventing the looking of said shift means, said clutch teeth having their load holding surfaces arranged so that a line normal thereto is at an angle to the line of direction of the force between said surfaces.

8. In combination with a motor vehicle transmission, a shaft operatively associated with the road Wheels of the vehicle, a mechanism associated With said shaft and automatically operable for preventing the rotation of said shaft in one direction, a shifting device including axially shiftable disconnectable teeth operable for selectively rendering said mechanism operative and inoperative, and means associated With said mechanism and shifting device and operable for preventing the movement of the latter into a position to render said mechanism operative While there exists substantial relative motion between said shaft and said looking mechanism in said one direction only, said last-mentioned means including a beveled end on at least one of said teeth sloping away from the load holding surface thereof so as to form with said load holding surface, an angle greater than 90.

9. In a motor vehicle transmission, a shaft operatively associated with the road Wheels of the vehicle, a mechanism associated With said shaft and automatically operable for preventing the rotation of said shaft in one direction, an axially movable device including disconneotable teeth operable for rendering said mechanism either operative or inoperative, and means associated With said mechanism for preventing the operation of said device When said shaft is rotating at appre- I ciable speed in said one direction only, said lastmentioned means including a beveled end on at least one of said teeth sloping away from .the load holding surface thereof so as to form With said load holding surface, an angle greater than 90.

10. Reverse brake construction for a motor vehicle driving mechanism comprising a shaft having looking mechanism associated therewith for preventing the rotation of said shaft in one direcmentthereof when said shaft is rotating in said onedirection only. '11.Reverse brake construction for a motorvei hicle driving mechanism comprising a fixed member, a rotatable member, automatic mechanism `'for-preventing rotation of said member in one dii rection, said mechanism comprising a one-way device .having a pairofelements relativelyrotatable in one direction only, one of said ele- `ments being fixed to one of said members-and a disconnectable connection between the otheriof said elements and the other of saidmembers, said connection comprising axially shiftable tooth means designed to prevent meshing together while any substantial relative-movement exists `therebetween in said one direction only and to readily permit disengagement thereof When said `mechanism is employed in resisting a maximum load tending to rotate said rotatable member Vin said one direction-'said last-mentioned means including a beveled end on at least one of said teeth Asloping away from the load holding surface thereof so as to form With said load holding surface,an angle greater than 90, and manually :operable means for Operating said connection.

` 12. In a device of the class described, a system ,of mechanisms including aload holding member, a rotatable'member, automatic mechanism for preventing rotation of said member in one direction, Vsaid automatic mechanism comprising va ;one-way device having a pair of elements relatively rotatable in one direction only, one of said elements being Vfixed to 'one of said members, and a disconnectableclutch connection between the vother of saidv elements and the vother of said members, said clutch connection comprising ax- `ially sliiftable `tooth means having load holding surfaces in engagement, the lineof direction of j-theforcebetween said surfaces being at'an angle 1to a line normal Vto said surfaces in en'gagement, said angle approximating the angle lof-rest of said system of mechanisms.

- 13. In a device of the class described, 'a system of mechanisms including a load holding member, a rotatable member, automatic mechanism for preventing rotation of said member in onedirection, said automatic mechanism comprising a one-way device having a pair of elements relatively rotatable in one direction only, one of said elements being fixed to one of said members, and a disconnectable clutch connection between -the other of said elements and the other of said members, said clutch connection comprising axially Vshiftable tooth vmeans having loadV holding surfacesl in engagement, the line of direction' of the force'between said surfaces beingatan angle to a line normal to said surfaces in Vengagement, said angle being slightlyfless than the angle of restof said system of mechanisms, andresilient means urging Vsaid'tooth means into meshing engagement. i

l4, In a device of the class descr'ibed, a system of mechanismV including a load holding. member, a rotatable member, automatic mechanism for preventing Vrotation of said memberfin one' ,direction, said automaticrmechanism comprising a one-Way device having a pair-of elements relatively rotatable in one direction only, vone of said elements being fixed to one of said members, and 'a disconnectable clutch connection between the other of said elements and thevother of said members, said clutch connection comprising axially shiftable tooth means having load holding surfaces in engagement, the line of direction of the force between said surfaces being at an angle to a line normal to lsaid surfaces in .engagement, said angle being slightly greater than the angle Vof rest of vsaid system of mechanisms, and remembersV normally engageable for rendering said looking mechanism operative, and spring means normally holding said clutch members in engagement, said clutch members including disengageable tooth means so designed as to prevent Vthe engagement 'thereof when said shaft is rotating in one direction, said -last-mentioned means including a beveled endron at least one of said teeth sloping away from the load holding surface thereof so as to form with said load holding surface, an angle greater than 90.

V16. In a motor vehicle 'transmissiom a load holding member, la rotatable member operatively associated With the road Wheels of the vehicle, automatic mechanism for'preventing rotation of said rotatable member in one direction, said mechanism comprising a one-Way device having a pair of elements relatively rotatable in one direction only, one of said velements being fixed to one of said members,a disconnectable connection between the other of said elements and the other of said members, said connection comprising ax- -iallyshiftabletooth' means designed to prevent meshing together while any substantialirelative movement'exists therebetween in said one direction only, said last-mentioned means including a beveled end on at least one of said teeth sloping away from the load holding surface 'thereof so as to formwith said load holding surface,lan'angle greater than 90, and manually operable Vmeans for Operating said connection.l s

17. In a motor vehicle transmissiom'a rotatable member operatively Vassociated'with Vthe road Wheels of the vehicle, -a fixed member, oneof said members being annular in Shape and provided with clutch teeth, ,aione-vvay device comprisinga pair of elements frelatively' rotatable in one direc-7 tion on1y,-one of said elementsV being directly connected to yone of said 'membersfanda 'disconnectable clutch including an 'axially shiftable annular part having teeth'cooperablewith the teeth g of'said ;member for connecting the Vother of Vsaid elements to the other of said members, said teeth being Vdesigned so that a line normal Vto' 'theload holding faces'th'ereof is 'at 'an angle tofth'e line of direction of the'for'ce between'l said surface 'soas to readily permit disengagement thereof" 'when said mechanism. is 'employed for res'isting' amaximumload tending tofrotate said rotatable i'rienfi-h bei' i-n'ione direction; 1 i

. ;18.- -In combinationwitha'motor'vnicitransmission, a system of mechanisms including a load holding member, a rotatable member, automatic mechanism for preventing rotation of said member in one direction, said automatic mechanismv comprising a one-Way device having a pair of elements relatively rotatable in one direction only, one of said elements being fixed to one of said members, a disconnectable connection between the other of said elements and the other of said members, said connection comprising axially shiftable tooth means having load holding surfaces in engagement, the line of direction of the force between said surfaces being at an angle to a line normal to said surfaces in engagement, said angle being such that the force tending to cause separation of said tooth means is approximately equal to the purchase between the teeth due to the friction of the system, and spring means normally holding said tooth means in operative engagement.

19. In combination with a motor vehicle transmission, a system of mechanism including a load holding member, a rotatable member operatively associated With the road Wheels of the vehicle, automatic mechanism for preventing rotation of said member in one direction, said automatic mechanism comprising a one-Way device having a pair of elements relatively rotatable in one direction only, one of said elements being fixed to one of said members, a disccnnectable connection between the other of said elements and the other of said members, said connection comprising axially shiftable tooth means having load holding surfaces in engagement, the line of direction of the force between said surfaces being at an angle to a line normal to said surfaces in engagement, said angle approximating the angle of rest of said system of mechanisms, and resilient means constraining said tooth means into meshing engagement.

20. In the drive system of a motor vehicle, a load holding member, a rotatable member associated With the road Wheels of said vehicle, automatic mechanism for preventing rotation of said rotatable member in one direction for preventing retrograde movement of said vehicle, said mechanism comprising a one-way device having a pair of elements relatively rotatable in one direction only, one of said elements being connected to one of said members, a breakable connection between the other of said elements and the other of said members, said connection comprising axially shiftable tooth means designed to prevent meshing together While any substantial relative movement exists therebetween due to retrograde movement of said vehicle, spring means acting on said tooth means for resiliently urging the same into meshing engagement, said spring means and the shape of said tooth means forming the sole means for preventing said tooth means from separating when said mechanism is under the maximum load of the vehicle, and manually operable means for overcoming the action of said spring means and thereby effecting the disengagement of said tooth means.

21. In a drive system of a motor vehicle, a load holding member, a rotatable member associated With the road Wheels of said vehicle, automatic mechanism for preventing rotation of said rotatable member in one direction for preventing retrograde movement of said vehicle, said mechanism comprising a one-Way device having a pair of elements relatively rotatable in one direction only, one of said elements being connected to one of said members, a breakable connection between the other of said elements and the other of said members, said connection comprising axially shiftable tooth means designed to prevent meshing together While any substantial relative movement exists therebetween due to retrograde movement of said vehicle, spring means acting on said tooth means for resiliently urging the same into meshing engagement, manually operable means for overcoming the action of said spring means and thereby effecting the disengagement of said tooth means, and means to faoilitate the disengagement of said tooth means by said manually operable means When said mechanism is resisting the maximum load of said vehicle tending to rotate said rotatable member in said one direction.

22. In the drive system of a motor vehicle, a shaft operatively associated with the road Wheels of the vehicle, means for selectively driving said vehicle forwardly and reversely, an overrunning mechanism associated With said shaft and automatically operable for preventing reverse movement of said vehicle when said driving means is arranged for driving the vehicle forwardly, axially movable lug means associated with said mechanism and being disengageable for rendering said overrunning mechanism inoperative, a shifting device for disengaging said lug means, and means for facilitating the disengagement of said lug means, so as to permit the vehicle to be driven reversely, When said mechanism is subjected to the maximum load of said vehicle while preventing the reverse movement thereof.

23. In the drive system of a motor vehicle, a shaft operativel7 associated with the road Wheels of the vehicle, means for selectively driving said vehicle forwardly and reversely, an overrunning mechanism associated With said shaft and automatically operable for preventing reverse movement of said vehicle When said driving means is arranged for driving the vehicle forwardly, axially shiftable lug means associated With said mechanism and being disengageable for rendering said overrunning mechanism inoperative, a shifting device for disengaging said lug means, means for fa'cilitating the disengagement of said lug means, so as to permit the vehicle to be driven reversely, When said mechanism is subjected to the maximum load of said vehicle While preventing the reverse movement thereof, said lug meansI being designed to prevent meshing together while any` substantial relative movement exists therebetween due to reverse movement of said vehicle, and spring means resiliently urging the same into meshing engagement.

24. In the drive system of a motor vehicle, a load holding member, a rotatable member associated With the road Wheels of the vehicle, means for selectively driving said vehicle forwardly and reversely, an automatic device comprising a system of mechanisms for preventing rotation of said rotatable member in one direction so as to prevent retrograde movement of said vehicle When said driving means is arranged for driving said vehicle forwardly, said automatic device being located between said load holding member and said rotatable member and comprising a one-Way device having a pair of elements relatively rotatable in one direction only, one of said elements being connected to one of said members, a breakable connection between the other of said elements and the other of said members. said connection comprising axially shiftable tooth means having load holding surfaces in engagement, the line of direction of the force between saidl surfaces being at an angle to a line normal to said surfaces in engagement, spring means actin'g on said tooth means for resiliently urging the same into mfeshing engagement, said angle being such that said tooth means will be on the verge of separating under influence of the load of the vehicle.

25. In the drive system of a motor vehicle, a

load holding member, a rotatable member assozciated Withfthe road wheelsof the vehicle, means for selectively driving said vehicle forwardly and reversely, an automatic device comprising a system of mechanisms for preventing rotation of jsaid rotatable member in one direction so as to Vprevent retrograde movement of said vehicle when said driving means is arranged `for drving said vehicle forwardly, said automatic device ``being located between said load holding member `and said rotatable member and comprising a one-Way device having a pair of' elements relatively rotatable in .one direction only, one of said elements being connected to one of said members,

a breakable connection between the other of said elements and the other of said members, said connection comprising ,axially shiftable tooth means having load holding surfaces in engagement, the line of direction of the force between :said surfaces being at an anglel to a line normal jto said surfaces in engagem'ent, spring means acting on saidA tooth means for resiliently'urging the same into meshing engagement, said anto retrograde m-ovement of saidvehi'cle. i

` 26. In the drive's'ystem of a motor vehicle, a load holding member, a rotatable member associated With the road Wheels of the vehicle. means for selectively driving said vehicle forwardly and reversely, an automatic device comprising a system of mechanisms for preventing rotation of ;said rotatable'member in one direction so as to prevent retrograde movement of saidvehicle when said driving means is arranged for driving said vehicle forwardly, said automatic device being located between said load holding member and said rotatable member and comprising a one-way device having a pair'of elements relatively rotatable in one direction only, one of said elements being connected to one of said members, abreakable connection between the other of said -tend to separate said teeth.

elements and the other of said members, said connection comprising axially shiftable tooth means having load holding surfaces in engagetion of' said tooth means is approximately equal to the purchase between the teeth due to the friction vof the system, and spring means acting on said tooth means for resiliently urging the same into meshing engagement.

27. In the drive system of a motor vehicle, a, load holding member, a rotatable member associated With the road Wheels of the vehicle, an automatic device comprising a system of niechu anisms for preventing rotation of said rotatable member in one direction so as to prevent retrograde movement of said vehicle, said automatic device being located between said load holding member and said rotatable member and comprising a one-Way device having a pair of elements relatively rotatable in one direction only, one of said elements being connected With one of said members, a breakable connection between the other of said elements and the other of said members, said connection comprising axially movable lug means having load holding surfaces in engagement, the line of direction of the force between said surfaces being at an angle to a line normal to said surfaces in engagement, said angle Vbeing such that the force on the movable elesaid' vehicle when said transmission is set for driving said vehicle uphill, said mechanism including axially projecting teeth having their load holding faces on an angle to the aXis of said shaft Whereby the axial component of the torque force due to the load of the vehicle will CARL F. RAUEN.

` lGERTIFICME oFj coRREcTIoN. Patent No. 2,25v1,956.` August 12', 19m.

' CARL F RAUEN.

It is hereby Certified that error. appears in theprinted specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, first column, line 50, after the word "clutch" 'insert brake, device, mechanism or connection--; page L1., second column, line 514., after' "so'Y' insert -.--as--; page 7, first column, line 55, for "shoe" read `--shoes---; page-10, first column, line 75, claim 1h., for "mechanism" read --mechanisms--; page ll, first column, line 66, claim 21, for "a" before "drive" read --the---; and

that the said Letters Patent should be'read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of"the case in the Patent Office.

signed ana sealed this 2181; day of October, A. D. 19LL1.

Henry Van Arsdale,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.- 

